New York, 21 December 2021 (TDI): Iranian official to the UN Ambassador Zahra Ershadi said that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) must compel the Israeli regime to end the occupation of the Syrian Golan. She highlighted that Israel should stop immediately its aggressions against Syria.
Ershadi made the remarks in this week’s UNSC session on the Syrian situation, expressing that Iran condemns “all aggressions of the Israeli regime against Syria”. As well, the official highlighted that the Syrian conflict poses regional and international relevance. However, the principal people affected are the Syrians.
Iran trusts in the Astana Peace Process. Therefore, senior officials of the Astana guarantors will meet in Nur-Sultan on 21-22 December. In that sense, the Iranian Ambassador confirms Iran’s will to continue negotiations with all parties to cooperate for the realization of this noble humanitarian endeavor. Hence, she urges that the UNSC must work without any external interference or pressure in Syria.
United Nations Security Council and the conflict in Syria
According to UNSG’s report on the implementation of Resolution 2585, the situation in Syria is deteriorating. Living conditions and humanitarian needs continue to grow, and “significant parts of the civilian infrastructure have been destroyed or are disintegrating”.
The Iranian representative indicates the dire need to intensify humanitarian work, in particular by effective implementation of resolution 2585. The Resolution pointed out that this Council has called upon all States “to respond with practical steps to address the urgent needs of the Syrian people”, stressing that such efforts must include supporting “early recovery projects”.
Furthermore, Ershadi commented on UNSG’s affirmations which refer to early recovery activities as key in “preventing a further increase in the number of people in need, as well as reducing immediate and protracted humanitarian needs”.
Likewise, the security situation in Syria should be a priority in humanitarian cross-border operations. These should reach the actual beneficiaries and does not fall into the hands of terrorist groups. The Representative also called for an increase in funding and allocation of humanitarian aid to cross-line operations in Syria.
Due to lack of cooperation by other sides, only two cross-line deliveries have so far taken place, which has yet to be distributed. Iran’s Ambassador also called for facilitating the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the Syrian refugees and IDPs.
Iran’s statement on Israeli Occupation and conflict resolution
The statement was clear, Ambassador urged the UNSC to compel the Israeli regime to end the occupation of the Syrian Golan and also stop immediately its aggressions against Syria.
“We strongly condemn all aggressions of the Israeli regime against Syria and reaffirm Syria’s inherent right to self-defense and to respond at a time and place of its choosing”.
Moreover, the continued occupation of parts of Syrian territory by foreign forces, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter, must come to an end and all occupying and uninvited foreign forces must leave that country without any precondition or further delay.
Throughout her speech, the diplomat clearly stated that “the Syrian crisis must be settled peacefully and in accordance with principles of international law”. Iran reaffirmed its commitment to support Bashar Al Assad and the Syrian government to restore the unity and territorial integrity of their country.
